From Crisis to Clarity: Navigating Uncertainty through Scenario Planning

Change is inevitable—resilience is a choice. Lead your nonprofit forward with purpose and sustainability.

The St. Louis Philanthropic Organization is excited to host From Crisis to Clarity: Navigating Uncertainty through Scenario Planning, facilitated by Steve Zimmermann, Principal of Spectrum Nonprofit Services.

Join us for this interactive half-day workshop on May 13^th from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Deaconess Foundation Center for Child Well-Being, 1000 N. Vandeventer Avenue.

‍Nonprofits are operating in a rapidly changing environment shaped by recent and emerging federal and state policy shifts, evolving community needs, and growing workforce demands. From shifting political dynamics and executive orders to a volatile stock market and economic uncertainty, nonprofits are under intense pressure across all funding streams. While we’ve weathered crises before – most recently during the pandemic – this moment feels different and even more complex.

In today’s ever-shifting environment, creating “good, bad, and worse” budget scenarios feels nearly impossible. Yet leaders must be ready to make strategic decisions in the face of ambiguity, and our workshop has been designed to help you update your scenario planning approach. We’ll explore the key drivers of your organization’s business model and how to prepare for unexpected funding shocks.Through a focus on revenue streams, reserves, cost structures, and mission impact, you’ll gain tools and a mindset to make confident decisions—even with limited information—and protect what matters most: your mission – no matter the scenario.  

At the end of this workshop, participants will have a deeper understanding of scenario positioning, including:

·        A new mindset around scenario planning built for today’s ambiguity that identifies the key components of an organization’s business model that can be adjusted in funding shocks.  

·        Steps to assess short-term and long-term financial health, including cash flow, liquidity and reserves.

·        Frameworks for making strategic decisions that balance impact and financial considerations.

·        An inclusive approach to future scenario planning that empowers staff and board members and aligns budgeting and planning.  

This workshop is part two of our discussion from the November 20^th workshop From Challenge to Change: Adapting Strategy for Sustainable Impact. You can access the prior workshop's slide deck and The Sustainability Mindset Workbook on the SLPO website under the Capacity Building tab. Completing the Workbook is not mandatory to attend on May 13^th, however, agencies are highly encouraged to review and complete as much as possible in preparation as well as bring their latest financial statements/audits.

Register now for the May 13th Workshop! The workshop is offered both in-person and virtually. In-person seating is limited! Continental breakfast provided.

‍